At what age is it ok to leave your kid in the car while you are running errands?

[Anonymous]

My 6 year old would be fine if I left her in the car while I ran in to the store for a quick errand. She likes to read in the car and dislikes having to stop and get out to run an errand. I haven't done this yet since I've read stories in the news where people have called the police when they saw children unattended in cars and the parent had to deal with a nightmare situation that followed.

[Anonymous]

Depends on the state?

[Anonymous]

I'd rather leave her at home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 6 year old would be fine if I left her in the car while I ran in to the store for a quick errand. She likes to read in the car and dislikes having to stop and get out to run an errand. I haven't done this yet since I've read stories in the news where people have called the police when they saw children unattended in cars and the parent had to deal with a nightmare situation that followed.

This. Don't do it.

A 6 year old should be perfectly fine, but the mess you'll get into isn't worth it.

[Anonymous]

Varies by county. In Loudoun it's 9. To be alone anywhere at all. Ugh.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My 6 year old would be fine if I left her in the car while I ran in to the store for a quick errand. She likes to read in the car and dislikes having to stop and get out to run an errand. I haven't done this yet since I've read stories in the news where people have called the police when they saw children unattended in cars and the parent had to deal with a nightmare situation that followed.

This. Don't do it.

A 6 year old should be perfectly fine, but the mess you'll get into isn't worth it.

I agree, it's ridiculous, since we all know our children best, but not worth the risk.

[Anonymous]

My 4.5 yr old would be fine by herself or with her almost 3 yr old sister. The almost 3 yr old wouldn't be cool by herself.

I just wouldn't do it because of idiots who'd call the police.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd rather leave her at home.

This. I would leave my six year old at home while I ran a quick errand.

[Anonymous]

At what age? 9...and only on a cool day. A small child left in a car will get bystanders concerned and maybe police called. People who see this don't know how long they've been in the store for (or if neglect is happening). Like most everyone else, I was left in the car all the time. But leaving a young child nowadays will make passersby worried. An older kid they probably won't care about... (which is why i said 9)

[Anonymous]

They call on EVERYONE. We live in a nanny society. I was picking up my carry out order and someone called on my dog this weekend. It was 60 degrees outside (very chilly and windy) and my windows were cracked. I was flabbergasted. Dog loves to run errands.

[Anonymous]

I have finally felt alright about leaving my 5 and 7 year old in the car with my 12 year old while I run into the store. It's probably still not "legal" but, hell, the 12 year old has a cell phone and can unbuckle everyone if necessary. He knows not to talk to anyone who may come knocking on the window and to call me immediately if there is a problem.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it. And I leave DS (6.5) in the house for very short periods while I run errands.

[Anonymous]

It is ok once the child is old enough to be able to exit the vehicle on their own and come find you if necessary. For my kids, that was about age 7. Agree with pps, has to be 70 degrees or colder, otherwise it gets hot too fast inside a car.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My 4.5 yr old would be fine by herself or with her almost 3 yr old sister. The almost 3 yr old wouldn't be cool by herself.

I just wouldn't do it because of idiots who'd call the police.

I wouldn't call the police, but I think 4.5 & 3 is too young. OP's dd would be fine, but I'm sure there are some jerks who would make trouble for her.

Op I have left my son in the car for quick errands and haven't had any trouble yet. I probably started doing it when he was 7 or 8. At the same age, I also began leaving him home alone for quick errands. I think home alone was 8yo,

[Anonymous]

I was taking a nap in the car (long night awake w baby) and someone called on me! Cop pulled up and scared the crap out of me. People are so ridiculous.